Built in 1885, houses three historic telescopes. In the larger dome there is a 16.2-inch John Brashear refractor, and in the smaller dome there is an 8 ¼-inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor. Downstairs resides a transit telescope originally used to help set the time in the midwest. All three telescopes are over a century old, and both the 8″ and the 16″ telescopes are regularly used for open houses.
Goodsell is also equipped with modern telescopes — 8-inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain LX200s — used for classes and open houses. These telescopes are set up when needed on permanent piers located behind the observatory on the east lawn. Also available for use are SBIG STT-8300M, STF-8300M, and ST-2000XM CCD cameras with LRGB and narrowband filters. These are used outside with the portable scopes or with either of the permanent scopes, and are supported by six computers on moveable carts. See more information and images of Goodsell’s equipment.
With this equipment, and classes which allow students to gain experience in using them, Carleton College remains a pioneer in undergraduate astronomical studies.
We are planning to open for the open house this evening, Friday, Oct 2, 8-10pm. However! It is forecast to get cloudier as the evening goes on, so be aware that we may have to close up early.
Open Houses are typically held on the first Friday of every month (unless it is cloudy). They are free of charge and open to the public. If there is any doubt about evening viewing conditions, we will post a final decision on this website —the final call on weather conditions will be posted 2 hours before the scheduled start time.